Ben O’Donoghue’s grocery shopping tips that could save you thousands
On last night’s episode of Eat More For Less, hosts Ben O’Donoghue and Leila McKinnon assisted Aussie families who have unhealthy and expensive grocery shopping habits.
One couple on the show, Daniella and Greg Marshall, have found themselves wasting food in their pantry and fridge as they instead rely on weekly takeout meals and convenience food.
Although Daniella used to enjoy cooking, she now turns to packaged foods to feed her small family at lunch and dinner.
Property valuer Greg explained that it is hard for him to not give into his cravings for McDonald’s at lunch and enjoy his five daily servings of soft drink, as well as multiple bottles of water.
The Marshalls never use a shopping list when they go to the supermarket and are forking out around $20,580 a year on groceries.
The couple double-up on the same products every week even though in their kitchen there is currently $40 worth of unused berries, $15 worth of juice, $50 in Pepsi and $2000 worth of pantry items.
“These guys are hemoraging cash,” host and chef Ben O’Donghue said.
“They’ve got $2000 in the cupboard... and [they’ve] just spent $400 more.”
On top of that, the Marshalls spend $130 each week on coffee and McDonald’s.
“I feel slightly ashamed,” Greg told hosts McKinnon and O’Donoghue.
“This would pretty much be the second biggest cost to the household. It’s a big chunk of money that could be put into something else."
“We don’t need so many drinks,” Daniella added. “We are food hoarders.”
Here are the Eat More For Less tips for Aussie families who need to reassess their grocery spend.
1. Look at the bottom shelves in stores
The brand names and more expensive products always sit at eyeline height in supermarkets. Make sure you look down at the foot level shelves which will have the cheaper or ‘homebrand’ items. When you are buying fresh produce, it is important to remember that they will go off quicker than frozen vegetables, which are often cheaper.
2. Understand supermarket tactics
There is a reason why everyday essentials like milk and bread are often located at the back of the supermarket. As you go through the different aisles to get your one or two products, it’s amazing how many other items will catch your eye. Also be wary of the impulse sales near the checkout counters.
3. Know what you need and what you already own
Before you go to the shops, make a habit to check your pantry and fridge to know what you actually need to buy. According to the Government, an estimated one in five shopping bags of groceries end up in the bin.
4. Swap brand names for generics
Greg Marshall drinks at least five cans of Coca-Cola each day, but he could swap to a generic brand such as Woolworths Cola which is 72 cents a litre. This would save him more than $1.70 per unit resulting in an extra $424 in his wallet at the end of the year. If he also swapped his 24-packet of bottled water for filtered tap water, he could save $260 a year.
5. Make it at home
Everyone is aware of how much smashed avo on toast can set someone back at an Aussie café. For a family of three, having avocado, fetta and tomato on toast at home costs as little as $3.80 a serve. While chicken burgers can range from $15 to $25, buying the ingredients and making your own home version will give you extra savings.
What are your tips for saving on grocery shopping? Let us know in the comments below.